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Vol. 10, Issue 4   |  February 10, 2017

From ILA Executive Director Bob Doyle 

I plan to step down as executive director later this year, and want to take this opportunity to let the ILA membership and all of our readers know how much I've enjoyed working with all of you over the past twenty years. I discussed this with the ILA Executive Board at yesterday's meeting, and they are working on a plan for a smooth transition, including a timeline and search for a replacement--as soon as that's more fully developed, we will share additional details about the process. I want to assure all of you that I view this as a positive step for the association. Together, we've built an effective and resilient organization, one of the best in the country. My goal has been to leave ILA in a position of stability for future leadership, and I believe we've done that. ILA President Pattie Piotrowski and President-elect Melissa Gardner are excellent choices to lead and manage this transition, and I will assist in any way I can, as will the rest of the ILA staff. I will be here at least through the end of July, depending on how our search for a replacement proceeds, so look forward to seeing and working with all of you during that time. 

Reaching Forward Award Nominations Open



Nominations are being accepted for Reaching Forward's annual awards, which will be presented at the 2017 Reaching Forward Conference on May 5.

The Oberman and Rich Reaching Forward Conference Grant recognizes the contributions of a support staff member to the library community and the role of support staff in libraries. The recipient will receive free registration to the 2017 Reaching Forward Conference, an overnight stay at the Reaching Forward conference hotel, $50 for expenses, and a framed certificate.

The Robert P. Doyle ILA Conference Grant for Support Staff encourages ILA membership and support staff attendance at the Illinois Library Association Annual Conference. The recipient will receive a one-year ILA membership and full registration and expenses to attend the ILA Annual Conference, up to $800, and a framed certificate.

Nominations for 2017 will be accepted through March 31, 2017. You may submit nominations for yourself or for a colleague. A panel of judges from the Reaching Forward Committee will be responsible for choosing the recipients. 

World Language Networking Group

The next World Language Networking Group meeting will be: Wednesday, February 22 at 10:00 a.m. at the Des Plaines Public Library located at 1501 Ellinwood Street, Des Plaines, Illinois. The meeting topic is Polish Language Collections with a speaker from D&Z House of Books; Elizabeth Marszalik, owner of EMARBIB Polish Language Collection Services, and WLNG’s own Aldona Salska will give a brief presentation. Please contact the World Language Networking Group Co-Chair Natalie Jonathas at njonathas@chipublib.org to RSVP or for more information. 

Share Your Opinions!

Jessica Curtis, a reference librarian at the Westerville Public Library (Ohio) and instructor at the Kent State University School of Information and Library Science, is gathering data for an article regarding library education and pedagogy (teaching adult services/reference/academic librarians how to teach). This link contains a short survey with just nine questions, and she'd appreciate responses from our readers. Please take a moment and contribute your thoughts and opinions.

New Study on Return on Investment

A 2017 study by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission is available on the ILA website and offers great ammunition for your advocacy efforts. Among the compelling statistics, you'll learn that every $1.00 invested in public libraries in Texas returns $4.64 worth of library services and value. The study estimates that Texas public libraries provide over $1.652 billion dollars in economic benefit statewide. Get more useful facts and information from the 2017 study Texas Public Libraries: Economic Benefits and Return on Investment, and check out research from other sources as well. 

Job opportunities

Head of Youth Services | Crystal Lake Public Library

Library Director | Sandwich Public Library District

Metadata and Digital Services Librarian | Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Library

Acquisitions and Electronics Resources Librarian | Lewis University

Children's Services Manager | Champaign Public Library

Teen Librarian | Champaign Public Library

Children's Department Supervisor | Galesburg Public Library

Teen Services Librarian | Kenosha Public Library

Deputy Director Library Operations | Mount Prospect Public Library

Library Director | Wood River Public Library

Library Director | Ferndale (MI) Area District Library

Information & Research Services Manager | Michael Best and Friedrich LLP

Regional Library System Administrator | Viking Library System

Instruction and Research Librarian, STEM | Lewis University

Director | Morris Area Public Library District

Library Director | Washington Public Library

Got A Job? Advertise on ILA's Jobline »
As the employment picture improves, competition by employers for the best candidates is increasing. Since 1981, the Library Jobline of Illinois has been used by thousands of employers and job-seekers throughout the state, helping match needs and skills in the library community. It is designed to help you locate qualified staff to fill current positions by announcing your job openings to a wide audience of library and information professionals and support staff.

In the News

Library-related stories appearing in local news media to alert and inform the Illinois library community about issues and events that are considered significant by the general media.

Forced to Close Six Months Ago, Metro-East Library Reopens as Learning Center

White Oak Library Tries Again at Referendum

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Benefits for ILA Institutional Members

Libraries of Illinois Risk Agency (LIRA) is a group insurance pool for ILA institutional members that offers potential savings for property, casualty, and workers compensation coverage for libraries. Learn more »

 
The Fund for Illinois Libraries was created in 1990 to help Illinois libraries in their fundraising efforts. The purpose of the fund is to enable libraries to receive gifts from individuals or organizations that can only make donations to 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. Learn more »
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Disclaimer: Links to non-ILA sites have been provided because these sites may have information of interest. The Illinois Library Association does not necessarily endorse the views expressed or the facts presented on these sites; and furthermore, ILA does not endorse any commercial products that may be advertised or available on these sites.
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